Witness Indicted for False Declarations Before a Grand Jury and Obstruction of Justice

Seattle, Washington - A federal grand jury has indicted a Washington woman for false declarations before the grand jury and obstruction of justice.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Raymond Duda of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office and Chief of Police Carmen Best of the Seattle Police Department made the announcement.

According to the indictment unsealed Tuesday in the Western District of Washington, on Feb. 28, 2018, Shawna Reid, 34, of Everett, Washington, made false material declarations to a federal grand jury when she denied before the federal grand jury that she previously told a Seattle Police Department Detective and FBI Special Agent during an interview on Aug. 23, 2017, that Suspect #1 told her that Suspect #1 bragged about involvement in the murder of a judge or attorney that lives on top of a hill. Reid further denied before the federal grand jury that she previously told the detective and special agent on Aug. 23, 2017, that Suspect #1 bragged that the murder victim was someone of importance like a judge or an attorney general.

According to the indictment, Reid is also charged with obstruction of justice for making false material statements to law enforcement officials on Aug. 25, 2017, and Dec.7, 2017, and then on Feb. 28, 2018, before a federal grand jury. All of the false statements pertained to whether Suspect #1 told Reid about Suspect #1’s involvement in the murder of a lawyer, judge, or attorney general who lived on a hill.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Seattle Police Department. Section Chief David Jaffe and Trial Attorneys Joseph Wheatley and Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Clymer are prosecuting this case.